The history of the Dominion Building in Wellington, New Zealand


	History of The Dominion Building


	The Dominion Building 78-80 Victoria Street Wellington

	THE HISTORY OF THE DOMINION BUILDING

	The Dominion Building was built in 1928 and designed by Crichton, McKay and Haughton and was for many years the home of Wellington's morning newspaper, The Dominion. According to the Historic Places Trust, it was modelled on the larger British and American newspaper buildings and architect William Crichton's purpose is said to have been to create a lofty landmark for an era where newsprint was the dominant source of information.

		High quality building materials were used, including an imported Caen stone frontage and Queensland marble interior work. In the commercial side, there are still examples of Wunderlich pressed metal ceilings in some of the units. The reinforced concrete building has been described as being immensely strong – it was designed to take the weight of the printing presses in the basement and heavy typesetting machinery on the then top floor.


	The design theme is described as inter-war stripped style of classical architecture and an example of architecture known as the Chicago style. Its facade is symmetrical with a central entrance and a copper roofed turret (now beginning to show matching verdigris with the Dominion Green paint colour). A strong verticality is produced by uninterrupted piers and the pressed metal spandrels diminish any horizontality of the shaft.

The platform above the main entrance (now entry to the commercial side of the building) was designed to be used for public addresses and electioneering. Brackets could be set up to carry what was at the time, the country's largest hoarding, which announced the results to packed throngs on general election nights!

In the mid 1970's, The Dominion headquarters shifted across the road to Press House in Boulcott Street. INL subsequently sold the building to Renouf Properties in 1984 for $5.45 million, who went on to add a penthouse level while using part of the property as its head office. In 1993, the ANZ Bank, who was by this time the mortgagee in possession, sold the property to a Singaporean investor (Meelie Properties) for $4.2 million. Meelie's redeveloped the complex, with the assistance of Athfield Architects, into a multi-use building comprising apartments, commercial, retail, car parking and storage space.

No doubt the impressive grand curving facade, sunny, strategic location and views of the city and harbour will see the Dominion Building remain one of the pre-eminent structures in Wellington for many years to come.

With acknowledgement and thanks to the NZ Historic Places Trust Central Region for access to their files and records.


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History of The Dominion Building